Instructor:
Thursdays –
Office Hours:
Email:
REQUIRED TEXT:
Alexander, Michelle
Coates, Ta-Nehisi
DeGruy, Joy
Raimes, A.
Stevenson, Bryan
Dr. Bonnie Reddick
4:00 – 6:40 PM ~ AH-1120
Tuesdays – 9:00AM – 10:00AM ~ AL-369
breddick@mail.sdsu.edu
The New Jim Crow
Between the World and Me
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome
Keys for Writers – (OPTIONAL)
Just Mercy
WELCOME
Welcome to the Africana Studies 200 community of writers and critical thinkers.
This semester, we will examine a variety text produced by and about people of
African descent. We will explore a multitude of concepts, theories, themes,
issues, and writers that define and advance the Africana literary tradition. We
will analyze social, political, economic, historical, cultural, and aesthetic contexts
that are a part of the Africana experience.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Development of intermediate expository writing skills and application of practical
research principles. Not open to students with credit in Chicana and Chicano
Studies 200 or English 200, or Linguistics 200, or Rhetoric and Writing 200.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate their ability to think
critically, analyze issues, and present them orally and in writing. Students will
analytically present and support an argument; critique the ideas and opinions of
others, and write and present cogent arguments, demonstrating his/her
knowledge of appropriate research techniques, MLA or APA documentation, and
overall organization.
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate a comprehensive
understanding of the African world experience as a dynamic and unfolding
process. Students will be able to explain the impact of slavery and colonization
on African peoples and society. Students will explore the political, economic and
social movements for the liberation of African people worldwide. Students will
be able to identify and explain the dislocation and relocation of African people in
the Diaspora.
By the end of the semester, students will demonstrate their ability to describe
and apply basic steps in completing a research paper; evaluate source materials
critically; and incorporate scholarly analysis in concert with the source materials.
Learning Outcomes:
 Create a cogent research question
 Gather and organize archival information from a variety of sources
 Analyze and synthesize the archival information
 Write a cogent argument
 Support the argument with credible evidence that is properly cited
 Identify and articulate prominent Africanist theories
 Adhere to appropriate citation requirements
 Orally summarize research findings
GRADING:
Library Scavenger Hunt
Quizzes
African American Museum
Research Project
Final
Attendance and Participation
TOTAL POINTS
10%
15%
10%
40%
15%
10%
100%
A (95-100); A- (90-94); B+ (86-89); B (83-85); B- (80-82); C+ (76-79);
C (73-75); C- (70-72); D+ (66-69); D (63-65); D- (60-62); F (0-59)
READING
Reading is an important part of developing strong writing and critical thinking
skills. Completion of all readings will be necessary for quizzes, homework,
essays, exams, and class discussions.
WRITING
In addition to quizzes and writing assignments, two (2) short essays will be
required. Additional information will be given as the semester progresses.
Students agree that by taking this course all required papers will be subject to
submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of
plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the
Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of
such papers. You may submit your papers in such a way that no identifying
information about you is included. Another option is that you may request, in
writing, that your papers not be submitted to Turnitin.com. However, if you
choose this option you will be required to provide documentation to substantiate
that the papers are your original work and do not include any plagiarized
material.
LIBRARY SCAVENGER HUNT
Each student will be partnered with a cohort to complete the Library Scavenger
Hunt. This exercise is designed to familiarize each student with specific African
American resources available in the Library, along with additional library services.
The Library Scavenger Hunt Guidelines details specific requirements. This
assignment must be completed by the due date listed in the Course
Calendar. Late Submissions will not be accepted. If you’re absent, this
assignment cannot be made up.
QUIZZES
There may be a quiz for each assigned reading. Quizzes may be comprised of
Multiple Choice, True/False, short fill-in or short essay responses. Quizzes are
given the first 10 minutes of class. They cannot be made up. All quizzes will be
taken on the class IPADS only.
AFRICAN MUSEUM VISIT
Each student must visit the African Museum, Casa Del Moro. It is located at 2471
Congress, in Old Town. It is open every day, except Wednesday, from
10:30AM – 7PM. The cost is $4.00. Credit/debit cards are not accepted.
Complete the tour, select one of the artifacts, take a picture of your artifact. You
must also be in the picture. The picture should be included as page 2 of your
reflection. Write a one page, (double spaced, 12-point font) reflection answering
the following questions: Why did you select it? What does it looks like? What did
you learn about it? Your write up should be submitted to Blackboard turnitin.com
by 4:00 PM on March 3, 2016. LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED.
RESEARCH PROJECT
The research project includes, but is not limited to, a research proposal that
requires a research question and thesis statement, an annotated bibliography,
research essay drafts, peer writing workshops, and the final research essay. All
writing assignments should be submitted in Blackboard – turnitin.com by the due
date and time. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Research Proposal – Complete an outline that incudes the research
question, thesis statement, and potential sources.

Annotated Bibliography – an annotated bibliography must have a
minimum of five sources; the sources should be properly cited; each
source should include a cogent summary of the source.

Research Drafts – We will have at least two peer workshops on your
research essay. For each workshop, please bring two hard copies
of your draft. If you do not bring copies to class, you will be excused,
and an absence will be recorded for that day.
Each student will write a research paper. You must include a minimum of five (5)
primary, five (5) secondary sources. You should utilize a variety of sources:
academic journals, books, websites, movies, videos, etc. The final paper should
be 7-10 pages. Submit it to turnitin.com b 4:00 PM on the due date.
Each Research Paper should state a research question, a clear, cogent, thesis
statement and offer a scholarly opinion that details how you propose to answer
the question. You will spend the remainder of the essay supporting your claim.
o Thesis
Your thesis statement is the anchor of your argument, and it is the
idea from which all other ideas emanate. It is an informed
argument that it is focused, succinct and easily identified. Most
importantly, it responds to your research question
o Research and Documentation
Your analysis should be rooted in primary source documentation
(journals, newspapers, books, etc.) that supports your argument.
Your research should also include secondary sources, other
scholars evaluation of the work that you’re critiquing). All sources
should be properly and appropriately cited.
o Organization
The key to constructing a rigorous and scholarly argument is
organization. I’d recommend taking the time to outline your ideas
and linking them to the concrete detail (evidence) and commentary
(your opinion) that you will use to support your thesis. Your paper
should have an introduction, supporting body paragraphs and a
conclusion. Your argument should have a logical flow, and it should
clearly transition from one idea to the next.
o Grammar/Mechanics/Syntax
No matter how engaging your argument, or how effective your
organization; if the grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation are
poor, it will inevitably result in a lower grade.
Each student must submit his/her research proposal, which must be reviewed
and approved by the professor. In addition, each student must submit a
bibliography of potential sources.
o Revision
Revision is an integral component of good writing. When you
revise, you should go beyond editing the paper for grammar,
punctuation and spelling. Critique the veracity of your argument
and substance of the evidence you’ve used to support it. Does your
argument make sense and did you support it?
FINAL
Each student will present an oral summary of the findings of his/her research.
Each presenter must have visual aids. If you use Power Point, you cannot use
more than five slides. You must include your research question, thesis, and a
summary of your findings. Your presentation cannot exceed 5 minutes. You will
be penalized if you exceed the allotted time.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
Participation in this class is essential. We will make it our practice to engage in
the art of conversation. Each of you will be responsible for initiating and
responding to questions and observations. Conversations will occur in small and
large group discussions.
You can do your part by coming to class on time, remaining alert, and being
willing to ask questions and share ideas. You should also keep in mind that
participating in an inappropriate manner or refusing to participate in class
activities will considerably lower your course grade. Many students refrain from
commenting during class discussions out of fear that they will give the wrong
answer or say something embarrassing. I encourage each of you to risk sharing
opinions that you are not entirely sure of. Since none of the readings can be
said to have a “perfect” interpretation, your comments can only assist the class
in its primary goal of critically exploring the ideas presented in the various texts
we will read.
Attendance is crucial to your success in this class. I record attendance every
day. If you arrive after I have taken attendance, it is your responsibility to come
up to me at the end of class to change your absence to a tardy. No absence
will be changed after the day you come late.
TARDINESS/LEAVING EARLY
Unless you have made prior arrangements with me, you are expected to be in
class on time and remain until class is over. Unexcused incidents of leaving early
will be counted as an absence for that day. Arranging with me to arrive late or
leave early should be the exception not the rule. If you have a commitment that
requires you to arrive late or leave early on a regular basis, you should take this
class at another time. Note: Excessive tardies will significantly reduce your
course grade.
CHEATING/PLAGARISIM
“Cheating shall be defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit
for academic work by the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means.
Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to (a) copying, in part or in
whole, from another’s test or other examination; (b) discussing answers or ideas
relating to the answers on a test or other examination without the permission of
the instructor; (c) obtaining copies of a test, an examination, or other course
material without the permission of the instructor; (d) using notes, cheat sheets,
or other devices considered inappropriate under the prescribed testing condition;
(e) collaborating with another or others in work to be presented without the
permission of the instructor; (f) falsifying records, laboratory work, or other
course data; (g) submitting work previously presented in another course, if
contrary to the rules of the course; (h) altering or interfering with the grading
procedures; (i) plagiarizing, as defined; and (j) knowingly and intentionally
assisting another student in any of the above.
2.2 Plagiarism shall be defined as
the act of incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether
purchased, borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting same to the
University as one’s own work to fulfill academic requirements without giving
credit to the appropriate source. Plagiarism shall include but not be limited to (a)
submitting work, either in part or in whole, completed by another; (b) omitting
footnotes for ideas, statements, facts, or conclusions that belong to another; (c)
omitting quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a
paragraph, sentence, or part thereof; (d) close and lengthy paraphrasing of the
writings of another; (e) submitting another person’s artistic works, such as
musical compositions, photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures; and (f)
submitting as one’s own work papers purchased from research companies.
Academic and Punitive Sanctions: Cheating and plagiarism in connection
with the academic program at The University may warrant two separate and
distinct courses of disciplinary action that may be applied concurrently in
response to a violation of this policy: (a) academic sanctions, such as grade
modifications; and (b) punitive sanctions, such as probation, suspension, or
expulsion. Academic sanctions are concerned with the student’s grades and are
the responsibility of the instructor involved. Punitive sanctions are concerned
with the student’s records and status on campus and shall be the responsibility
of the University President or designated representative. The Coordinator of
Judiciary Procedures shall be the President’s representative in matters of student
discipline.”
http:/senate.sdsu.edu/policy/pfacademics.html
ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITY
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need
accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student
Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of
your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as
soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive,
and that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I
have received an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services.
OTHER COURSE POLICIES
1.
Treat other students and me with respect. Students are expected to
refrain from behavior that interferes with the learning of other
students.
2.
Come to class prepared.
3.
Except during group work, only one person at a time may address the
class. You are expected to listen attentively and refrain from
conversation while another person is speaking.
4.
No cell phones or other electronic equipment may be operated in class.
Do not surf the Internet or text message a friend. You are welcome to
use your computers to record notes, but please do not surf the
Internet. If I observe you checking your phone, texting, surfing the
Internet, completing other classwork during my class, the first time,
you’ll receive a warning. Subsequent violations, you will be asked to
leave the classroom, and I will record an absence for that day.
5.
Please do not sleep during class or utilize ear buds or headphones.
Violations of this policy will be asked to leave the class, and I will record
an absence for that day.